Being a leader is a skill that anyone can learn—that is, a learned or acquired ability. It takes desire. It takes extended practice. Above all, it takes action.

Whether you are a teacher, parent, mentor, coach, manager, director, politician, or CEO, anytime you are in a position to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people to accomplish a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader. You have a responsibility, even a moral obligation to see to it that you are developing that skill.

In today’s fast-moving business world driven by constantly evolving technology, doing more of the same is a recipe for disaster. Over the past twenty years, more than 50% of Fortune 500 companies have been acquired, merged, or declared bankruptcy. Organizations face bigger threats—and from a wider range of competitors—than ever before.